Recruitment 2026 · CRP PO/MT-XVIIBPS PO 2026 — Probationary Officer Exam
Complete guide to the IBPS PO 2026 recruitment: 6,715 vacancies, exam pattern, syllabus, dates, eligibility, salary & centres — as per the official notification.
Last date to apply: 21 July 2026
About the IBPS PO 2026 Programme
IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) is one of India's most sought-after banking jobs. A Probationary Officer is a scale-I officer (Junior Management Grade) who, after a probation of about two years, handles core banking functions — customer service, loan processing, cash and account management, forex, and branch operations — with a clear, time-bound path to promotions up to General Manager.
The recruitment is a Common Recruitment Process (CRP): you appear for a single exam and, based on your merit and preferences, are provisionally allotted to one of the 11 participating public-sector banks. Selection has three stages — a qualifying Preliminary exam, a Main exam, and an Interview. The Preliminary exam for 2026 is being held on 22 & 23 August 2026.
For 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI), IBPS has announced 6,715 vacancies. With a graduate degree in any discipline and an age between 20 and 30, lakhs of aspirants compete every year — which is exactly why a focused, syllabus-complete preparation strategy makes all the difference.
Key Highlights
IBPS PO 2026 — Important Dates
Key dates for the IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI) recruitment cycle. Confirm exact dates on the official notification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 01 July 2026 |
| Online registration opens | 01 July 2026 |
| Last date to apply / pay fee | 21 July 2026 |
| Prelims admit card | August 2026 |
| Preliminary exam | 22 & 23 August 2026 |
| Prelims result | September 2026 |
| Main exam | 04 October 2026 (tentative) |
| Mains result | October / November 2026 |
| Interview | November – December 2026 |
| Provisional allotment | January 2027 |
Vacancies & Participating Banks
IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI) offers a total of 6,715 Probationary Officer vacancies across 11 participating public-sector banks. Vacancies are provisional and may be updated by IBPS; category-wise (UR/EWS/OBC/SC/ST) and bank-wise splits are given in the official notification.
When you apply, you sit for one common exam. Final allotment to a bank depends on your merit, your bank preferences, and vacancy availability — you do not apply to each bank separately.
Eligibility Criteria
You must satisfy the following as on the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification (01 July 2026).
Nationality / Citizenship
- A citizen of India; or
- A subject of Nepal / Bhutan; or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01 Jan 1962 with intent to settle permanently; or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka or certain African countries to permanently settle in India (with the required eligibility certificate where applicable).
Educational Qualification
- A degree (graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
- You must possess a valid mark-sheet / degree certificate and mention the percentage of marks obtained at the time of registration.
- Basic working knowledge of computers is essential; proficiency in the official language of the state/UT you apply for is desirable.
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)
- Minimum 20 years and maximum 30 years.
- A candidate must have been born not earlier than 02 July 1996 and not later than 01 July 2006 (both dates inclusive).
- Upper-age relaxation applies to reserved categories as per Government rules (see table below).
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit)
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Defence personnel | 5 years |
| Persons affected by 1984 riots | 5 years |
Relaxations are cumulative as permitted by Government rules. Refer to the official notification for exact terms.
How to Apply — IBPS PO 2026
Application Fee
The IBPS PO 2026 application/intimation fee (including GST) is paid online during registration and is non-refundable.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹175/- |
| Others (General / EWS / OBC) | ₹850/- |
Fee is paid online only — via net-banking, debit/credit card, UPI or IMPS — at the time of application. It is non-refundable.
Pre-Requisites for IBPS PO 2026 Online Application
Before you start the IBPS PO Apply Online 2026 process, keep the following scanned documents ready in the permissible format and size:
- Scanned copy of your recent passport-size photograph (approx. 200×230 px, 20–50 kb, JPEG).
- Scanned copy of your signature — sign on white paper with a black pen; the signature should NOT be in capital letters (approx. 140×60 px, 10–20 kb, JPEG).
- Scanned copy of your left-thumb impression (approx. 240×240 px, 20–50 kb).
- Scanned copy of a hand-written declaration in running handwriting (in English, not capital letters) — approx. 800×400 px, 50–100 kb.
- A valid email ID and mobile number (active until the recruitment ends — all intimations are sent here).
- Your qualification/percentage details, category certificate details, and a card for online fee payment.
Photo & Signature Upload Guidelines
Your scanned photograph and signature must match the exact dimensions and file size below, otherwise the form will reject the upload.
| Document | Dimensions | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Passport-size Photograph | 200 × 230 pixels | 20 – 50 KB |
| Signature | 140 × 60 pixels | 10 – 20 KB |
Sign with a black pen on white paper — the signature must NOT be in capital letters. Both files must be in JPEG/JPG format.
File too large? Compress your photo and signature to the required KB size for free using TinyPNG (tinypng.com) before uploading — it reduces file size without visibly losing quality.
Steps to Fill the IBPS PO 2026 Application Form
Follow this complete step-by-step process to apply online for IBPS PO 2026 on ibpsonline.ibps.in:
- 1Visit the official IBPS website ibps.in and open the “CRP PO/MT-XVI” notification, then click the “Apply Online” (New Registration) link.
- 2Register with your name, email ID and mobile number — a provisional registration number and password are generated and sent to your email/phone. Note them down.
- 3Log back in using the registration number and password to continue filling the form.
- 4Fill in your personal details, educational qualification, category and communication address exactly as per your certificates.
- 5Upload the scanned photograph, signature (NOT in capital letters), left-thumb impression and hand-written declaration in the prescribed format and size.
- 6Select your preferred exam-centre cities and the participating banks in order of preference.
- 7Preview the entire application carefully and verify every detail — no major edits are allowed after final submission.
- 8Pay the application fee online (SC/ST/PwBD ₹175, Others ₹850) via net-banking / card / UPI. A successful payment confirms your submission.
- 9After payment, submit the form and download / print the system-generated confirmation and fee receipt for future reference.
- 10Later, download your admit card from ibps.in when it is released (August 2026) and appear for the Prelims on 22–23 August 2026.
Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO selection is a three-tier process. The Preliminary exam is an online, objective, qualifying test; marks scored in Prelims are NOT counted in the final merit. Candidates who clear Prelims sit for the Main exam.
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Each section is separately timed (20 minutes). There is negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. You must clear both the sectional and the overall cut-offs to move to the Mains stage.
Main Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO Main exam has an Objective test (200 marks) and an English Descriptive test (25 marks — Letter Writing & Essay) that you type. The Objective test is composite in timing.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total (Objective) | 155 | 200 | 3 hours |
| English (Descriptive — Letter & Essay) | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to each wrong answer in the objective tests. The descriptive paper is evaluated only for candidates who clear the objective cut-off.
Note: IBPS may revise the exact number of questions/marks each cycle. The pattern above reflects the standard IBPS PO Mains structure — always verify against the official notification.
Negative Marking & Cut-offs
- •Every incorrect answer incurs a penalty of 0.25 marks (one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question).
- •There is no penalty for a question left blank / un-attempted.
- •You must clear both the sectional and the overall cut-offs to move to the Mains stage.
- •Cut-offs are decided by IBPS after the exam based on the number of vacancies, difficulty level and number of candidates.
- •Prelims is only qualifying — your Prelims score is not added to the final merit.
Detailed Syllabus — Preliminary Exam
The Prelims tests three areas. Here is the topic-wise syllabus you should master for 22–23 August 2026.
English Language
Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Sentence Improvement, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Word Usage / Vocabulary, Sentence Rearrangement, Phrase Replacement, Para Completion.
Quantitative Aptitude
Number Series, Simplification & Approximation, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation (tables, bar/line/pie/caselet), Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Average, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Mensuration, Permutation-Combination & Probability, Mixtures & Alligations.
Reasoning Ability
Puzzles & Seating Arrangement (linear, circular, floor, box), Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order & Ranking, Inequality (coded), Coding-Decoding, Alphanumeric Series, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Logical Reasoning (statement & conclusion).
Detailed Syllabus — Main Exam
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
High-level puzzles & arrangements, Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning, plus Computer Aptitude — computer fundamentals, hardware/software, MS Office, internet, networking and banking IT basics.
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Advanced DI (missing/caselet/arithmetic DI), Data Sufficiency, Quantity comparison, and core arithmetic applied to interpretation.
General / Economy / Banking Awareness
Current affairs (6 months), banking & financial awareness, RBI & monetary policy, static GK, government schemes, economic terms and international/national events.
English Language
Advanced Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Verbal Ability, plus the Descriptive paper — formal/informal letter writing and essay writing.
Selection Process
IBPS PO 2026 selection has three stages. You must clear each stage to advance to the next.
- 1Preliminary ExamOnline objective test of 100 marks (English, Quant, Reasoning). Qualifying only — clear sectional + overall cut-offs to reach Mains.
- 2Main ExamOnline objective test of 200 marks + a 25-mark English descriptive paper. Your Mains score carries into the final merit.
- 3InterviewConducted by the participating banks / nodal bank, carrying 100 marks (qualifying minimum usually 40%, relaxed for reserved categories).
- 4Provisional AllotmentFinal merit is prepared from Mains + Interview in an 80:20 weightage; candidates are then allotted a bank by merit and preference.
Final merit = 80% Main exam + 20% Interview. Prelims marks are NOT counted in the final merit list.
Salary, Pay Scale & Posting
An IBPS PO joins as an Officer in Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I). The basic pay is ₹48,480 in the revised officer pay scale, and the gross salary rises with Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) and other perks depending on the posting city.
The approximate in-hand salary is around ₹57,000 – ₹60,000 per month, and gross emoluments can be higher in metro postings. Actual figures vary by bank and location.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Grade | Officer Scale-I (JMGS-I) |
| Basic Pay | ₹48,480 per month |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,480 – ₹85,920 (with periodic increments) |
| Allowances | DA + HRA + CCA + special allowances |
| Approx. In-hand | ₹57,000 – ₹60,000 / month |
| Posting | Anywhere in India (all-India transferable) |
Salary components differ slightly between the 11 participating banks and by city classification.
- Job security of a public-sector bank + pension (NPS) benefits
- Leased/quarter accommodation, medical & travel benefits
- Loan concessions (home, car, personal) at staff rates
- Clear promotion path: Scale-I → Scale-II → … → General Manager
- Study leave, professional-qualification incentives (JAIIB/CAIIB)
- Nation-wide postings and inter-bank opportunities
IBPS PO Revised Salary Structure (Monthly)
| Component | Approx. Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹48,480 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹9,600 (approx.) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹4,360 – ₹6,300 (city-based) |
| Special Allowance | ₹8,100 (approx.) |
| CCA / Other Allowances | ₹1,400 – ₹2,000 |
| Gross Salary | ≈ ₹72,000 – ₹85,000 |
| Approx. In-hand (after deductions) | ≈ ₹57,000 – ₹60,000 |
Figures are indicative and vary with the DA revision cycle, city classification and bank. NPS/PF and tax are deducted from the gross.
IBPS PO Previous Year Cut-Off (Prelims)
Indicative previous-year Preliminary cut-off marks (out of 100, General category) to help you set a target. Actual 2026 cut-offs are decided by IBPS after the exam based on vacancies and difficulty.
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ≈ 55–58 | ≈ 54–57 | ≈ 50–54 | ≈ 44–48 | ≈ 54–57 |
| 2023 | ≈ 56–59 | ≈ 55–58 | ≈ 51–55 | ≈ 45–49 | ≈ 55–58 |
| 2022 | ≈ 49–53 | ≈ 48–52 | ≈ 44–48 | ≈ 40–44 | ≈ 48–52 |
These are approximate, state-averaged figures compiled from previous cycles for reference only — remember you must also clear each sectional cut-off, not just the overall one.
Exam Mode & Language
Both the Preliminary and Main exams are conducted online (Computer Based Test) at designated test centres. Candidates cannot appear from home — you must report to the allotted centre.
The tests (except the English Language section) are available bilingually in English and Hindi. The English Descriptive paper of the Mains is to be typed in English.
Exam Centres
IBPS conducts the CBT at hundreds of centres across every state and union territory. You choose your preferred centres while applying (subject to availability). Major centres include:
Result Dates
IBPS declares results in stages on ibps.in. Scorecards are released after each phase.
- ▸Prelims result: expected September 2026 (a few weeks after the 22–23 August exam).
- ▸Mains result: expected October / November 2026.
- ▸Interview call letters: November – December 2026.
- ▸Final result & provisional allotment: expected January 2027.
How to Prepare & Clear IBPS PO 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions — IBPS PO 2026
The IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI) Preliminary exam is scheduled for 22 & 23 August 2026. The exam is conducted online at designated centres.
Figures are compiled from the official IBPS notification. Always confirm the exact dates and numbers on the official notification before applying. Official Notification (PDF)